Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus
This monograph compiles 3 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 14 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
Major bioactive saponin with cardio-, neuro-, hepato- and renoprotective effects.
Pharmacological Actions
Immune support / immunomodulation (activates macrophages, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →Supports resistance to colds and respiratory infection (immune)
more plants for cold & flu →detailed sources →Adaptogenic tonic for fatigue and low vitality (traditional 'Qi' tonic)
more plants for fatigue / low energy →detailed sources →Immune support / immunomodulation (activates macrophages, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes); Supports resistance to colds and respiratory infection (immune)
more plants for immune support →detailed sources →Supports resistance to colds and respiratory infection (immune)
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →Renoprotective (kidney support) - as an adjunct in chronic kidney disease, reduced proteinuria and raised haemoglobin and serum albumin across trials (Cochrane review; study quality low)
more plants for kidney support →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from adaptogen action
more plants for stress →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Astragalus stimulates immune activity; on theoretical grounds it should be used cautiously in autoimmune disease and with immunosuppressant medicines (for example after organ transplant) - discuss with a clinician.
Generally well tolerated; high-quality long-term human safety and toxicity data remain limited.
Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established; avoid medicinal doses.
References
REF-0739, REF-0736, REF-0737, REF-2256, REF-0402, REF-2257, REF-2258, REF-2259, REF-2260, REF-2261, REF-0401, REF-2262, REF-2263References & Sources
- Xu, B., Huang, J.P., Peng, G., Cao, W., Liu, Z. et al (2024) 'Total biosynthesis of the medicinal triterpenoid saponin astragalosides', Nature Plants, 10(11), pp. 1826-1837. doi:10.1038/s41477-024-01827-4 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-024-01827-4 - Auyeung, K.K., Han, Q.B. and Ko, J.K (2016) 'Astragalus membranaceus: A Review of its Protection Against Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Cancers', The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 44(1), pp. 1-22. doi:10.1142/S0192415X16500014 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X16500014 - Zhang, Y., Ji, W., Qin, H., Chen, Z., Zhou, Y. et al (2024) 'Astragalus polysaccharides alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by restoring SCFA production and regulating Th17/Treg cell homeostasis in a microbiota-dependent manner', Carbohydrate Polymers, 349, pp. 122829. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122829 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122829 - Fu, J., Wang, Z., Huang, L., Zheng, S., Wang, D., Chen, S., Zhang, H. and Yang, S (2014) 'Review of the botanical characteristics, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi)', Phytotherapy Research, 28(9), pp. 1275-1283. doi:10.1002/ptr.5188 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5188 - Zhang, J., Wu, C., Gao, L., Du, G. and Qin, X (2019) 'Astragaloside IV derived from Astragalus membranaceus: A research review on the pharmacological effects', Advances in Pharmacology. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2019.08.002 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apha.2019.08.002 - Dong, M., Li, J., Yang, D., Li, M. and Wei, J (2023) 'Biosynthesis and pharmacological activities of flavonoids, triterpene saponins and polysaccharides derived from Astragalus membranaceus', Molecules, 28(13), pp. 5018. doi:10.3390/molecules28135018 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135018 - Chen, G., Jiang, N., Zheng, J., Hu, H., Yang, H., Lin, A., Hu, B. and Liu, H (2023) 'Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 241, pp. 124386. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124386 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124386 - Zheng, Q., Zhuang, Z., Wang, Z., Deng, L., Jin, W., Huang, Z., Zheng, G. and Wang, Y (2020) 'Clinical and preclinical systematic review of Astragalus membranaceus for viral myocarditis', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020, pp. 1560353. doi:10.1155/2020/1560353 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1560353 - Dai, Y., Wang, Y., Kang, Q., Wu, Y., Liu, Y., Su, Y., Wang, X., Xiu, M. and He, J (2024) 'The protective effect and bioactive compounds of Astragalus membranaceus against neurodegenerative disorders via alleviating oxidative stress in Drosophila', FASEB Journal, 38(13), pp. e23727. doi:10.1096/fj.202400390R Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202400390R - Xu, L., Xu, X., Hou, X., Wang, F., Gao, S. and Zhang, H (2019) 'Adjuvant therapy with Astragalus membranaceus for post-stroke fatigue: a systematic review', Metabolic Brain Disease, 35(1), pp. 83-93. doi:10.1007/s11011-019-00483-4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-019-00483-4 - Li, C.X., Liu, Y., Zhang, Y.Z., Li, J.C. and Lai, J (2022) 'Astragalus polysaccharide: a review of its immunomodulatory effect', Archives of Pharmacal Research. doi:10.1007/s12272-022-01393-3 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-022-01393-3 - Jin, M., Zhao, K., Huang, Q. and Shang, P (2014) 'Structural features and biological activities of the polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 64, pp. 257-266. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2013.12.002 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2013.12.002 - Liu, Y. and Lv, W (2019) 'Research progress in Astragalus membranaceus and its active components on immune responses in liver fibrosis', Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 26(10), pp. 794-800. doi:10.1007/s11655-019-3039-1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-019-3039-1 - Zhang, H.W., Lin, Z.X., Xu, C., Leung, C. and Chan, L.S (2014) 'Astragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008369.pub2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008369.pub2
Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio